Pressure exchangers



May 27, 1958 G. JENDRASSIK 2,835,346

PRESSURE EXCHANGERS Filed June 15, 1956 5 Sheets--Sheerl 1 ha." v ATTORNEYJ 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1956 May 27, 1958 G. JENDRAsslK 2,836,346

PRESSURE EXCHANGERS Filed June l5, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /JJ 'o as,

l" r 'I l' j l May 27, 195s G1 JENDRNSSK 2,836,346

PRESSURE EXCHANGERS Filed June 15, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M MNM/Eis May 27, 1958 G. JENDRASSIK 2,836,346

PRESSURE EXCHANGERS Filed June l5, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United rates PRESSURE EXCHANGERS George Jendrassik, deceased, late of London, England, by Andre G. T. Boszorrneny and Clara Jendrassik, executors, London, England, assignors to Jendrassik Developments Limited, Mayfmfr, London, England The invention relates to rotary pressure exchangers of the kind comprising a ring of cells for the compression and expansion of gas, ducting for leading gas to and from the cells (for example, at heat input and heat rejection stages) and means for effecting relative rotation between the cells and the ducting.

The invention is particularly Aconcerned with pressure exchangers of the above kind which are employed to supply la consumer machine with gas at a high pressure or velocity. Such a pressure exchanger could be employed, for example, for supercharging an internal combustion engine. Y

`Compression and expansion of gas in the cells of a pressure exchanger are normally produced by shock and rarefaction waves respectively set up in the cells due to the sudden opening or closing of the ends of the cells. The compression and expansion may be reinforced by the use of transfer passages interconnecting in pairs cells lcontaining gas at diierent pressures. It is also possible to rely only on the pressure exchange effected by the trans- -fer passages, but even then if the gas velocities are sufijciently high shock or rarefaction waves would -be produced. A shock wave occurs when a cell is opened to a duct containing gas at a higher pressure than that in the cell and similarly a rarefaction occurs when za cell is opened to a duct containing gas at a lower pressure than that in the cell. ideally the opening and closing of the ends of the cells are timed in such a manner that when a wave is set up at one edge of one end of a cell it travels to the other end which is closed, is reilected by the said other end and reaches the said trst end jus-t as that end is closed. lt will be appreciated that this state of aairs depends upon factors which include the circumferential -width of cell openings, the relative timing of opening and closing opposite ends of `a cell, the speed of rotation of the cell ring relatively to the ducting, and the local speed of sound.

An object of the invention is to provide a pressure exchanger whose manner of operation may be adjusted to allow at least partly tor fluctuations in certain of the above or other factors.

According'to the invention a rotary pressure exchanger comprises a ring of cells for the compression and expansion oi gas, ducting for leading gas to and from the cells, means for effecting relative rotation between -the cells and the ducting, a ported annular plate positioned between the ducting and the cells at one end of the cells at least, said ported plate being movable circumferentially relatively to the ducting at the opposite end of the cells and means for circumterentially moving the ported plate.

The ported plate may be a control ring positioned between the cell ring and ends of the ducting adjacent an end of the cells, the control ring being adjustable circumferentially relatively to the ducting and having orilices therein which are so dimensioned and arranged in relation to the ducting ends that the latter are at least partly obscured by the control ring, and means for adjusting atent peut.

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the control ring circumferentially of the ducting whereby the communication of the Aducting with the cells is affected.

The orifices in the control ring may be so dimensioned and arranged that on adjustment of the control ring the timing of the `opening .and 'closing of the adjacent ends oi the cells by the control ring and the associated ducting is altered relatively to the timing of the opening 'and closing of the lremote ends of the cells. The orifices in the contro-l ring may also be so dimensioned and arranged that on adjustment of the control ring the `area of the ducting open to the cells is altered, thereby affecting the ow of gas through the cells.

The control ring may lbe :adjustable manually lor in response to 'an operating function of the pressure exchanger such -as speed, pressure or temperature. There may be `a control ring 'co-operating with the ducting at eac'h end of the cell ring.

By way of example, embodiments of the invention will now `be described with reference lto the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a longitucnal section through a pressure exchanger according to a tirst embodiment,

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line II--II of Figure l, showing the yadjustable 'oriice plate 10 as hereinafter described in `one extreme position,

Figure 3 is a sectional View on the line II-II of Figure 1 showing the 'adjustable orifice plate lll in the other extreme position,

-Figure.4 is a part of Figure l showing a manual control for operating rthe adjustable orifice -plate 10,

Figure 5 is a sectional view 'corresponding to a part of Figure 1 showing 'a yspeed governor control for the adjustable orifice plate 10 in a pressure exchanger according to a second embodiment,

Figure 6 is a `sectional view on the line VI-VI in Figure 5 with the end cover plate 30, `as hereinafter described, removed, `and Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing a pressure-operated control for the adjustable orifice plate 1l) instead of a manual control.

The pressure exchanger shown in Figure l comprises a rotatable cell ring l comprising cylindrical inner and outer walls 2 and 3 respectively which together with radial partitions form the cells. The cell ring is carried yon stub shafts 4 and 5 mounted in `bearings 6 and is rotated by a belt drive on pulleys 7. The ends of the cells co-operate with end lplates 8 and 9 -containing inlet and outlet passages for the working uid 'of the pressure exchanger. The end plates are connected to a stationary casing for the cell ring comprising telescopically nesting cylindrical walls 11 and l2 which are provided with seals where they co-operate with the outer cylindrical wall 3 of the cell rings. This pressure exchanger is intended for use as a supercharger for an interna-l combustion engine and the gas inlets and outlets in the end plates are theretore as follows. The end plate 8 contains 'a yfresh air inlet 13 and a compressed air outlet 14V for the super- -charging of air to the internal combustion engine. The outlet 14 is of scroll shape. The end plate 9 contains a passage l5 conveying exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine and a passage 16 discharging at a lower pressure exhaust gases to the atmosphere. Attached to the end plate 9 is a casting 17 to which the exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine is connected and which provides an exhaust duct to atmosphere. Arrows 18 show the direction of ow of gases through the cell ring. yIt will 'be appreciated that the end plate 9 is considerably hotter ythan the end plate 8. yIn View of this the cell ring 9 contains cooling passages 19 through which water or other coolant is circulated. In accord- )clamp 23.`

Yescasas ance withrthe invention means lhave been lprovided for control ring in'- theforrn of' an orifice plate V1h having apertures 13 `and `1'4' corresponding to openings totheV Vpassages 13 and 14 in the end plate.

The adjustable orifice plate is rotated through a smallVV angle by means of Ia toothed quadrant 20 which engages teeth on the periphery of the plate 10. The Itwo extreme positions of theorilice plate are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 respectively. VThe quadrant 20 is mounted upon a shaft 21 which is'rotated manually as hereinafter described withreference to Figure 4. The apertures 13', 14 at all times coincide with part of the openings to the passages 13 'and .14. Thereforeadjustment of the Yoriiice plate between the two extreme positions has no eti-ect upon theV area of ow through the apertures V13', 14'. VThere 1 is,r however, an elect on |the timing of the opening of the vcells to the passages 13 and 14 with respect to the opening of thecells to the passages V15 and 16. The

operating mechanism for the quadrant 20 is shownV in justrnent the handle lmay be Vlocked in position ,-by the YIn the embodiment just Ldescribed withfreference to Y Figures 1 4 the operating quadrant 20 is rotated manually, but this couldbe operated'automatically in response ltofan operating condition, e. g. speed of/rotationV or e pressureor temperature in a part of the pressure ex-V changer or the apparatus associated therewith,J for eX- ample lan internal combustion engine supercharged rbythe pressure exchanger. e

, -In Figures 5 and 6 the variable orifice plate,I 1651s operated automatically in response to rotational 'speed of Y the cell ring. Figures V5 ando show a second embodiment ofV the ypressure exchanger whichis the same as the first Yembodiment fundamentally vrbutdilers in several small features.; ln Figure 5 the fcold end end plate 8 -is shown;V and this VYas in Figure l 'has freshair inlets 13 andcompressed air loutlets 14.which outlets may becon neeted to the induction manifold yof an internal combustion engine to beV superchargedY by the pressure exchanger. VIn the end plate 8 there is 'the variable diaphragm plate 1t). The cell ring shaft carries a spring loaded gover- Y,

of the larm 27 in t-urn causes movement of'a U-piece 28' which rotates the operating shaft 21 for lthe orifice plate 19. Infthis embodiment theshaft 21Y carries a U-piece 29 instead of the quadrant 20 V'of Figure 1, theY U-piece ends of the cells lby the end plates. that for any particular speed of rotation or local speed l0,

' Figure 4 and comprises the shaft 21 which may be roe tatedthrough the small angle between the two extreme positions ofthe orifice plate b y a handle 22. After admeantime, at ythe other end of the cells, contaminatedexhaust gas from the internal combustion engineenters Vthe cells through passage 15 and is expanded in thecells Y,

and exhausted to atmosphere through passage 16. The

compression and expansion processes in the cells are pro-Y duced by shock waves and rarefa-ction in :the cells due to Vthe correct Atiming of the opening and closing of the rof sound the relative timing `between the two end plates is critical and this isthe reason for the variable orifice plates lil. Rotation ofthe orifice plate either manually as in Figures l-4 or 'automatically in response to Vrotational speed asy in Figures 5 and 6 or automatically in responseV to yother factors such as temperature and presa e produces 'the necessary adjustments of timing of the `opening `and closing of the cells to the end plates.

iFigure 7V shows an arrangement by which the oriticeV plate 16 is moved circumferentially in response to pressure in the compressed air outlet 14. VThe mechanism i includes the quadrant 2) and the shaft 21 arranged as shown in Figure 4;k but for operation by a rack-and-pinion device instead of the operating handle 22. The rack-andrpinio-n device comprises la pinion 32, .carried on the end of shaft 21 remote fromfthe toothed 'quadrant Qt?, and a rack 33, engaged by thepinion 32. The rack is attached by a'rod 34 to a piston 35, slidable -in a cylinder`36. The cylinder is `connected at the end wall re. mote from the rack 33 to the Voutlet 14of the pressureV exchanger by a pipe 37 andrisopen to the Vatmosphere f through a pipe 38 in the end wallinearer to the rack 33.

A spring 39 lacts between the said nearer end Wall of the cylinder andthe piston 35.' When the pressure in the outlet 14 rises sufficiently above atmospheric pressure to-V -overcome theV spring 39, .the rack is moved downwards are rotated,.thereby operating theoriice plate.

. orifice pla-te is required to =be operated inrresponse to 29 engaging a 'pin 30 in the oritice plate 1i?.Y Thus with.V

.this mechanism variation 'of speed of the cellrring shmt e 4' ac-tuates the governor 24 =and the variable'oriiice plate 10 is moved 'within therlimits vo'f the two extreme posi- The governorv 25S and tions shown in Figures 2 :and 3.

'operatin-g mechanism for. the orifice plate 10 are contained within a housingl lattached tot-hefend'plate 8..

' 'In the two embodiments described thevariable orifice plate 10 has `beende'scribed onlyin co-operation with.. Y

variable orifice plate yas shown in FiguresV 1-4 for Sfand ferentially spaced portions.

Y be operated in response to a different'operational con- V6V will Ynow Ybe givenf AsV thecell ring rotates, fresh air is drawn 'inc through the inlets 13 Iand Vis compressed in the-cells; Thefcompressed air lirsfcarried in the. cells to 'openings'V le, where. it is discharged and conveyedto theV internal combustion engine to ybe supercharged... In the a through therports could be varied. Y I T he embodiments described .have stationary end plates,Y Y

`another Variable pressure. {Where `the "pressure Veir- Y changer is associated with otherfapparatus e. g. an in-V ternal combustion enginesupercharg'ed by the pressure f exchanger, the pipe 37 may beV connected to a convenient i part of that apparatus.

In the foregoing description 10 only produces variation in timing of opening and closing of the cells to the end plates. This is because the openings13 and 14' in the variableorice platec'oin-V n cide at all times with the openings in the end plate. The' apertures 13.'` and 14could be made to subtend a larger '511 angle at the center of rotation so that theV apertures 13f and 14 coincide. with the openings of Ythe Yendplate,Y

inone position fbut are partly obscured of even ffully' obscuredbythe openings inthe end plates in theVY other extreme position,VVV ln this way not only will the Vtiming ofY openingrand closing the cells be altered,jbut also the mass ilowthrough theropeningsrwill be affected, and' in the ex-` Y. Y treme case when the end platelopenings are fully obscured the pressure exchanger would be shutdown. Y

Another variation withinthe scope ofthe invention is'V the splitting of .the 'orifice plate into tWoorrno'reY ciircum-V Y Each .portionVv could then dition, e. glrone portion Ytothe operated in response to rotationalY speed while 'another Aportion is operatedin` Vresponse, to pressureata point in the pressure exchanger.;` 1

mas'sow 1 W With this arrangement bothtirnngV andthe anda-rotatable cell ring. 1t is within the-scope-of the inventionto keep the cellrring stationaryandvtofretate 'Y `It will fbe appreciatedV the variable orice" plate senseo the end plates, the adjustable orice plate being mounted on an end plate for rotation therewith.

The embodiments described have cells extending in a direction parallel with the axis of the cell ring. lt is within the scope of the invention to employ instead radially extending cells. The ducting co-operating with the cells would be arranged at the radially inner and outer ends of the cells or at radially spaced positions co-operating with openings in the cell walls. Adjustable control rings would be provided between the cell openings and the ducting. As with the embodiments having cells extending parallel with the axis of the cell ring, the cell ring may be stationary and versa.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotary pressure exchanger comprising a ring of cells for the compression and expansion of gas, ducting for leading gas to and from the cells, means for effecting relative rotation between the cells and the ducting, a ported annular plate positioned between the ducting and the cells at one end of the cells at least, said ported plate being movable circumferentially relatively to the ducting at the opposite end of the cells and means for circumferentially moving the ported plate.

2. A rotary pressure exchanger comprising a ring of cells for the compression and expansion of gas, ducting for leading gas to and from the cells, means for eiecting relative rotation between the cells and the ducting, a

control ring positioned between the cell ring and ends of the ducting adjacent an end of the cells, the control ring being adjustable circumferentially relatively to the ducting and having orifices therein which are so dimensioned and arranged in relation to the ducting ends that the latter are at least partly obscured by the control ring, and means for adjusting the control ring circumferential` ly of the ducting, whereby the communication of the ducting with the cells is atected.

3. A rotary pressure exchanger as claimed in claim 2 'm which the orices in the control ring are so dimensioned and arranged that on adjustment of the control ring the timing of the opening and closing of the adjacent ends of the cells by the control ring and the associated ducting is altered relatively to the timing of the opening and closing of the remote ends of the cells.

4. A rotary pressure exchanger as claimed in claim 2 in which the orices in the control ring are so dimensioned and arranged that on adjustment of the control ring the area of the ducting open to the cells is altered, thereby atecting the ow of gas through the cells.

5. A rotary pressure exchanger comprising a rotatable ring of cells for the compression and expansion of gas, stationary ducting for leading gas to and from the cells, means for rotating the cell ring, a control ring positioned between the cell ring and ends of the ducting adjacent an end of the cells, the control ring being adjustable circumferentially relatively to the ducting and having oriiices therein which are so dimensioned and arranged in relation to the ducting ends that the latter are at least partly obscured by the control ring, and means for adjusting the control ring circumferentially of the ducting, whereby the communication of the ducting with the cells is affected.

6. A rotary pressure exchanger comprising a ring of cells for the compression and expansion of gas, ducting for leading gas to and from the cells, means for eiecting relative rotation between the cells and the ducting, a control ring positioned between the cell ring and ends of the ducting adjacent an end of the cells, the control ring being adjustable circumferentially relatively to the ducting and having oriices therein which are so dimensioned and arranged in relation to the ducting ends that the latter are at least partly obscured by the control ring, and manually operable means for adjusting the control ring circumferentially of the ducting, whereby the ducting rotatable or vicev the communication of the ducting with the cells is affected.

7. A rotary pressure exchanger'compsing a ring of cells for the compression and expansion of gas, ducting for leading gas to and from the cells, means for effecting relative rotation between the cells and the ducting, a control ring positioned between the cell ring and ends of the ducting adjacent an end of the cells, the control ring ybeing adjustable circumterentially relatively to the ducting and having orices therein which are so dimensioned and arranged in relation to the ducting ends that the latter are at least partly obscured by the control ring, and means for adjusting the control ring circumferentially of the ducting, whereby the communication of the ducting With the cells is a'ected, said control ring adjusting means being responsive to an operational condition of the pressure exchanger.

8. A rotary pressure exchanger as claimed in claim 7 in which the control ring is adjustable in response to rotational speed of the pressure exchanger.

9. A rotary pressure exchanger as claimed in claim 7 in which the control ring is adjustable in response to pressure at a region of the pressure exchanger.

10. A rotary pressure exchanger comprising a ring of axially extending cells for the compression and expansion of gas, ported end plates positioned adjacent the cell ends, ducting communicating with ports in the end plates for leading gas to and from the cells, means for effecting relative rotation between the cells and the end plates, a control ring positioned between the cell ring and the end plate at one end of the cell ring, the control ring being adjustable circumferentially relatively to the adjacent end plate and having orifices therein which are so dimensioned and arranged in relation to the ports in the said adjacent end plate that the latter are at least partly obscured by the control ring, and means for adjusting the controlling circumferentially of the said adjacent end plate, whereby the communication of the ducting with the cells is aiected.

11. A rotary pressure exchanger as claimed in claim l0 in which the control ring is in the form of an annular plate housed in a groove in the face adjacent the cells of an end plate.

12. A rotary pressure exchanger arranged as a supercharger for an internal combustion engine and comprising a rotatable cylindrical cell ring in which the cells extend between opposed end faces thereof, stationary end plates positioned adjacent the cell ends and containing passages through which gas is led to and from the cells in such a manner that one end plate, hereinafter referred to as the cold end plate, passes gas substantially colder than gas passing through the other end plate, driving means for rotating the cell ring, an annular orice plate associated with the cold end plate and housed in a groove in the face thereof adjacent the cells, the oritice plate having orifices therein which are smaller than and coincide with the passage openings in the end plate, a mechanism for adjusting the orifice plate circumferentially in the groove in the end plate in response to a speed responsive governor on the shaft carrying the cell ring, the arrangement being that on change of rotational speed from a design value, the orifice plate is adjusted to change the timing of the opening and closing of the adjacent ends of the cells with respect to the remote ends of the cells.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,859,264 Zeller May 17, 1932 1,955,799 Fielden Apr. 24, 1934 2,067,757 Fielden Jan. 12, 1937 2,291,273 Wydler July 28, 1942 2,675,173 Jendrassik Apr. 13, 1954 2,687,843 Alcock Aug. 31, 1954 2,738,123 Hussmann Mar. 13, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 75,436 Denmark Feb. 16, 1953 

